Multiple-tuck folder for sewing-machines.



A. H. DE VOE.

MULTIPLE TUCK FOLDER FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23, 1916.

Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I A. H. DE VOE.

MULTIPLE TUCK FOLDER FOR SEWING MACHINES.

. APPLICATION FILED MAY 23. I916. J]. fififiTifia Patented Apr. 23-, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- r nvmvnm WITNESS:

A. H. DE VOE.

MULTIPLE TUCK FOLDER FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZB, I916.

Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

"nan in.

ALBERT H. DE VOE, OF WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGN'OR TO THE SINGER MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW J EBSEY.

MULTIPLE-[DUCK FOLDER FOR SEWING-MACHIN ES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be. it known that 1, ALBERT H. DE Von, a citizen of the United States,residing at WVestfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Multiple-Tuck Folders for Sewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to devices for producing tucks in fabrics, and is designed more particularly for producing series of standing tucks closely spaced and crowded together to form what is known as" mushroom tucking, such as that disclosed in my Patent No. 1,164,790, of December 21, 1915; and it has for its primary object to provide tuck-forming means adapted to produce simultaneously a plurality of closely spaced standing tucks of uniform depth and spacing apart.

In its preferred embodiment, the tucking device is applied to a sewing machine equipped with stitch-forming mechanism in cluding a plurality of laterally spaced reciprocating needles. The bed-plate has secured thereon a forming plate provided upon its upper face with a series of con vergent tuck-forming ribs of progressively decreasing width and increasing depth merging at their delivery end portions in substantially parallel standing blades grouped in pairs whose extremities enter respectively the flaring mouths of grooves formed in the lower face of the presser-foot. An upper forming plate is sustained for vertical movement upon a rigid support carried by the bracket-arm and has upon its under face a depending series of convergent forming ribs normally entering the spaces between the lower forming ribs, said plate 7 being provided near its contracted forward end with an inspection aperture through which access may be had betweenthe upper forming ribs to the lower forming ribs for adjusting the work preparatory to a tuck forming and stitching operation. 7

The component tuck-forming blades of each pair are preferably extended. to and.

wholly at opposite sides of a needlein ad vance of which is, disposed what may be] termed a creasing blade which is sustained Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr... 23, 1918..

Application filed May 23, 1916. Serial No. 99,380.

by the presser-bar at a position intermediate the component forming blades of said pair.

As the tuck-forming blades or elements of each pair have their delivery ends directed wholly to opposite sides of the needlepath, the tucks formed by such blades will not be penetrated by the needle.

Sustained by the support for the upper forming plate is a series of elements which may be termed positioning blades sustained upon Shanks depending between the pairs of forming blades, the positioning blades extending laterally intermediate adjacent groups or pairs and beneath the component forming blades thereof and beyond the paths of movement of the needlesof the respective pairs of forming blades. The positioning blades are preferably disposed at different levels in marginally. overlapped relation in such manner that they produce lateral folds in the body fabric at the bases of the adjacent standing tucks which are united by lines of stitching passing through the creases between the component tucks of each pair and through such overlapped folds of the body fabric.

The invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front end view and Fig. 2 a plan of the forward portion of a sewing machine provided with a tucking device embodying the present improvement. Fig. 3 is a view of the lower-face of the upper forming plate, Fig. 4 a a similar view of the upper face of the lower forming plate, and Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken through the upper and lower forming plates and showing in dotted lines the position of the material between the same. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the needles and presser-foot with the adjacent tuck: forming elements.

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the parts represented in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 a plan of the same with a portion of the bed-plate. Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the Presser-foot with the adjacent portion of the lower tuckforming member. Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the tuck-forming elements and their supporting means, viewed from a position rearward of the needles. Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are, perspective views of the positioning and creasing elements, detached. Fig. 14 is an enlarged front end elevation representing in part the tuck-forming elements shown in Fig. .10, but indicating the position of the material in connection therewith.

The sewing machine represented in the accompanying drawings .is of the wellknown Singer multiple-needle single-chainstitch type, comprisinga frame constructed with the usual bed-plate 1, from which rises the hollow standard 2 sustaining the tubular overhanging arm 3 which terminates in the 1 head 4.

'lVithin the. bracket-arm head is journaled the reciprocating needle-bar 5 carrying the transverse multiple needleclamp 6 provided with the laterally spaced eye-pointed needles 7 cotiperating-in practies with oscillating loopers mounted upon the rock-shaft 8.

Journaled also in the head 4 is the presserbar 9 provided with the usual thrust collar 10 between which and the bushing 11 is the surrounding spring 12 The presser-bar may be raised and lowered by means of the usual cam-lever 18 acting upon a suitable projection of the collar 10. To the reduced lower. end of the presser-bar is secured the shank 1s of the presser-foot" upon which is pivotally mounted the rocking foot-plate 15 which is provided in its under side with the narrow tuck-receiving grooves or channels 16 each directed toward one of the needles 7 having at its forward end aflaring mouth'17.

Opposed to the presser-foot is the feeddog 18 carried by the feed-bar19 which is suitably actuated by well-known means.

Secured upon the forward marginal portion of the bed-plate 1 by screws 20 entering the elongated apertures 21 is the lower forming plate 22 which is provided upon its upper face with a series of convergent tuckforming ribs 23 of progressively decreasing width. and increasing depth and merging at their delivery end portions in substantially parallel standing blades 24; extending within the'direction of feed to and preferably'slightly beyond the needle-paths.

These blades are represented as uniformly spaced at one-half the spacing of the needles from'each other, but in the performance of their function they may be considered as arrangedin groups each comprising a pair of which the component blades are directed wholly" to opposite sides of the respective needles with-their extremities entering the flaring mouths of the presser-foot groove 16. as represented particularly in Figs. (ito 9 inclusive.

' Overhanging the lower forming plate is the substantially triangular upper forming plate 25 which is constructed, like the lower forming plate, with a series of convergent tuck-forming r bs 26 of progressively dec eases. i and merea nsderth be t minating at their forward ends adjacent the rearward extremities of the blades 24:. The upper and lower tuck-fornnng ribs are disposed in interlocking relation, as represented in Fig. 5, so as to produce a series of crimps or folds in the body fabric as it advances between the plates 22 and 25 toward the stitch-forming mechanism. Near its forward end the body of the plate 25 is cut out to form a clearance aperture 25 through which are exposed the upper portions of the ribs 26 and the tops of the intermediate lower forming ribs 23, as represented particularly in Fig. 8.

To the top of the upper tuck-forming plate is secured the foot 27 of a stand comprising two upright members 28 fitted within vertical slideways 29 in a block 30 at the outer end of an arm or support 31 rigidly secured to and projecting forwardly from the bracket-arm head. Journaled within suit able bearings of the block 30 is a rock-shaft 32 carrying at opposite ends the crank-disks 33 each provided with a stud-pin 34: entering the apertured upper end of a. link whose apertured lower end is entered by a studpin36 tapped into one of the upright menr bers 28. A lifting lever 37 secured upon the rock-shaft 32 provides a means for rocking the latter for raising and lowering the upper forming plate, as represented respectively in full and dotted lines in Fig. 1.

Owing to the great reduction in width of the fabric effected by the folding operation in its passage to the stitch-forming mechanism, it is desirable to effect the lateral drawing in of the fabric by a gradual process involving the employment of comparatively long upper and lower forming plates whose forming ribs should be rigidly maintained in fixed relation while permitting the inspection and manual advance of the work near the delivery end of the attachment. To this end, these plates are constructed to afford connections between their respective forming ribs at opposite ends thereof with an interruption of such connection intermediate the ends. As the two forming plates are sustained respectively by the bed-plate and the overhanging bracket-arm, ample space is provided on both sides of the attachment for the untucked material adjacent the tucked portion, thereby providing for operation upon wide pieces of fabric, which may be passed through the attachment repeatedly to form adjacent sections of tucking together aggregating the desired width in the finished article.

Entering the spaces between the tuck forming blades or elements of each pair, and disposed parallel therewith, is a series of creasing blades 38 each formed at the lower end ofa shank 39 depending from the forward limb of a U-shaped carrier -10 whose shorter opposite limb terminates in a split collar 41 which is clamped upon the presserbar 9 above the presser-foot by means of the clamp-screw 42.

As indicated particularly in Fig. 7, the forming blades 24 are cut away upon the under side considerably above the level of the plate 22 to afford clearance for the positioning blades 48 each of which is directed within the line of feed and extends laterally beneath adjacent groups or pairs of forming blades with their opposite edges extending to or beyond alinement with adjacent needles 7. These positioning blades are formed at the lower edges and transversely of shanks 44 depending between the adjacent groups of forming blades and provided in their upper portions with enlargements 45 from which project upwardly the studs 46.

These studs 46 are adjustably secured by means of set-screws 47' in vertical sockets in a cross-member or carrier 48 at the lower end of a bar 49 rigidly secured to and depending from the supporting arm 31. The

marginal portions of adjacent positioning blades are preferably disposed in overlapping relation, and are therefore arranged at different levels, as shown particularly in Figs, 10 and 14. The various fabric-engaging blades overhang the throat-plate, a portion 50 of which is flush with the top of the bed-plate and merges just in advance of the needle-apertures 52 therein into the upwardly ofi'set surface 51 which is shown formed with the feed apertures 53.

The blades 38.and 43 terminate at their delivery ends adjacent the needle-paths, the lower series of positioning blades having their delivery extremities farther in front of the needle-holes than the upper series by reason of the curvature of the fillet between the upper and lower faces of the throatplate, as represented in Figs. 7 and 8.

In the use of the apparatus, the material m (represented in dotted lines in Fig. 5) is introduced beneath the upper forming plate 25 when lifted to its elevated position as represented in dotted lines in Fig. l, and the forming plate is lowered to enter the upper forming ribs 26 between the lower forming ribs 23 for the production of a series of closely spaced crimps. The material may be advanced toward the stitchforming mechanism by the use of a stiletto for engagement of the material through the inspection aperture 25, the forward portion being thus directed beneath the crimping blades 38 and over and around the laterally extending positioning blades, as represented in Fig. 14.

The forward end of the fabric m having been extended into the range of action of the feed-dog, and the presser-foot lowered thereon, the machine is set in operation and the work is advanced through the various tuck-forming and positioning elements, each needle entering a crease or depression 8 formed by its respective creasing blade 38 between the pairs of tucks t and penetrating successively the lateral folds o and o in the body fabric formed by the positioning blades 48 at the bases of the pairs of standing tucks, as indicated in Fig. 14. As the work advances past the needles, the tucks t, which are guided with precision to the stitching pointv by reason of the extension of the blades 24 to and beyond the needle-paths, enter the flaring mouths of the clearance grooves 16 in the-presser-foot in which they are crowded together so as to issue from beneath the presser-foot' in uniform spacing.

The arrangementof the several elements of the apparatus shown in the drawings is designed for forming tucks in a single ply of fabric, in which case the bases of the tucks are required to be secured together to retain the tucks in position; but in case a backing is employed to which the tucks may be secured by lines of stitching, it is evident that the lateral folds in the body fabric need not be overlapped, and that the arrangement of the positioning blades may be modified accordingly.

When the positioning blades are arranged in marginally overlapped relation, as represented in Figs. 10 and 14, the alternate upper forming ribs 26 are preferably made slightly deeper than the intermediate ribs, as represented in Fig. 5, in order to provide the requisite fullness in the material intermediate the pairs of standing tucks for formation of other kinds of tucking, and certain of its distinctive features are adapted for use independently of others within the scope of the present invention. It will of course be understood that the several forming and positioning elements may be so arranged as to produce the different styles of tucking represented in my said Patent No. 1,164,790.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is:-

1. A tucking device comprising a series of spaced and similarly directed forming elements, similarly directed positioning elements extending laterally intermediate and beneath adjacent groups of forming elements of said series, and creasing elements also similarly directed anddisposedintermediate adjacent elements of said groups of forming elements and above said elements. r

. 2. A tucking device comprising a series of spaced and similarly directed forming blades, similarly directed positioning blades extendinglaterally intermediate and beneath adjacent groups of forming blades of said series, the adjacent positioning blades being disposed in marginally overlapping and spaced relation, and creasing blades also similarly directed and disposed intermediate adjacent blades of said groups of forming blades and above the overlapped margins of the positioning blades.

3. A tucking device comprising a series of spaced and similarly directed forming blades, similarly directed positioning blades extending laterally intermediate and beneath adjacent groups of forming blades of said series and terminating rearward of the delivery extremities of the latter, and creasing blades also similarly directed and disposed above said positioning blades and intermediate adjacent blades of said groups of forming blades and terminating rearward of the extremities of the latter.

' 4. A tucking device comprising a series of spaced and similarly directed forming positioning blades, similarly directed positioning blades extending laterally intermediate andbeneath adjacent groups of forming blades of said series and each having a supporting shank extending intermediate said groups, and similarly'directed creasing blades disposed at opposite sides of said shanks and overyhan in and dis osed in an ular relation 8 b Y b withthe marginal portions of said positioning blades.

5. In combination, stitch-forming mechanism including a' plurality of laterally spaced reciprocating needles, means for producing in a body fabric a plurality of standingtucks in groups eachhaving component tucks directed to opposite sides of a needle, and laterally extending positioning blades with their opposite edges engaging and adapted to directthe body fabric at the bases oftucks of adjacent groups respeetively beneath adjacent needles.

,6. In combination, stitch-forming mecha nismincluding a plurality of laterally spaced reciprocating needles, means for producing in a body'fabric a plurality of standing tucks in groups each havingcomponent tucks directed to opposite sides of a needle, and laterally extending positioning blades with the margin of each in overlapping relation with thatof an adjacent blade and 1 adapted to engage-and direct the body fabric at the basesof tucks of adjacent groups respectively beneath adjacent needles,

7. The combination with stitch-forming a5 mechanism including a reciprocating needle,

and feeding mechanism, of a tucking device comprising tuck-forming elements having their delivery ends directed wholly to opposite sides of the needle-path and extending in the direction of feed, and an intermediate creasing element directed toward the needle-path.

8. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a reciprocating needle, and feeding mechanism, of a tucking device comprising tuck-forming blades having their delivery end portions directed in substantial parallelism wholly to opposite sides of the needle-pathand within the direction of feed, and an intermediate creasing blade directed toward and disposed in advance of the needle-path.

9. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of reciprocating needles, and feeding mechanism, of a tucking device comprising a series of substantially parallel tuck-forming blades extendingin the direction of feed and arranged in groups each containing blades at opposite sides of a needle-path, similarly directed positioning blades extending intermediate adjacent groups and beneath component forming elements thereof, and creasing blades also directed within the line of feed and disposed intermediate the component blades of said groups and in alinement with their respective needles.

10. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of reciprocating needles, and feeding mechanism. of a tucking device comprising a series of substantially parallel tuck-forming blades extending in the direction of feed and arranged in groups each containing blades at opposite sides of a needle-path. and similarly directed positioning blades extending intermediate adjacent groups and beneath component forming elements thereof and laterally beyond the paths of movement of the needles of the respectivegroups of forming blades.

11. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of reciprocating needles, feeding mechanism and a presser-foot having an operative face formed with a series of parallel grooves extending each toward a needle-path and in the direction of feed, of a series of standing tuckforming blades arranged in pairs each having its component blades 1n register with a groove of said presser-foot, and creasing blades each disposed intermediate and directed parallel with the component blades of a pair and toward the respective needlepath.

12. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of reciprocating needles, feeding mechanisn'i and a presser-foot having an operative face formed with a series of parallel grooves extending mea re each toward a needle-path and in the direction of feed and having flaring mouths adjacent the needle-paths, of a series of standing tuck-forming blades arranged in pairs each having its component blades extended within the flaring mouth of one of said presser-foot grooves, and creasing blades each disposed intermediate and directed parallel with the component blades of a pair and toward the respective needle-path.

13. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of reciprocating needles, and feeding mechanism, of a tucking device comprising a series of spaced and similarly directed forming blades sustained in fixed position and arranged in pairs of each of which the component blades are directed to opposite sides of a needlepath, and a plurality of yieldingly sustained creasing blades each interposed between the component blades of a pair of forming blades and directed toward its respective needle-path.

14:. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of reciprocating needles, a presser-foot and a presser-bar sustaining the same, of a tucking device comprising a series of spaced and similarly directed forming blades sustained in fixed position and arranged in pairs of each of which the component blades are directed to opposite sides of a needle-oath, and a plurality of creasing blades sustained by said presser-bar and each interposed between the component blades of a pair of forming blades and directed toward its respective needle-path.

15. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of reciprocating needles, a presser-foot and a presserbar sustaining the same, of a tucking device comprising a series of spaced and similarly directed forming blades sustained in fixed position and arranged in pairs of each of which the component blades are directed to opposite sides of a needle-path, a plurality of creasing blades each interposed between the component blades of a pair of forming blades and arranged in front of and directed toward its respective needle-path, and a carrier for said creasing blades embracing the several needle-paths.

16. In a sewing machine, the combination with the frame comprising a bed-plate and an overhanging bracket-arm, and stitchforming and feeding mechanisms, of a tucking device comprising a forming member sustained by the bed-plate and comprising a series of convergent standing tuck-formtopics or this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner Washington, D. 0.,

ing elements of progressively decreasing width and increasing height mergin at their delivery end portions in substantlally parallel standing blades extending in the direction of feed, and a superposed forming member movably sustained from the bracketarm and comprising a depending series of convergent forming elements rigidly connected together at their ends and uncon nected intermediate their ends to expose the intervening spaces, said depending elements extending intermediate the standing forming elements of the lower member.

17. In a sewing machine, the combination with the frame comprising a bed-plate and an overhanging bracket-arm, and stitchforming and feeding mechanisms, of a tucking device comprising a forming plate sustained by the bed-plate and formed with a series of convergent tuck-forming ribs of progressively decreasing width and increasing height merging at their delivery end portions in substantially parallel standing blades extending in the direction of feed,

and a superposed forming plate movably sustained from the bracket-arm and comprising a depending series of convergent orming ribs normally entering the spaces between the lower forming ribs, said plate being formed in its contracted portion with an inspection aperture through which access i may be had between the upper forming ribs to the lower forming ribs.

18. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a reciprocating needle, and feeding mechanism, of a tucking device comprising tuck-forming elements disposed at opposite sides of the line-of seam formation and extending in the direction of feed, an intermediate creasing element disposed in the line of seam formation, and means for deflecting the bases of the tucks formed by the tuck-forming elements within the line of seam formation.

19. The combination with stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of reciprocating'needles, and feeding mechanism, of a tucking device comprising a pair of tuckforming elements for each needle, the tuckformin elements of each pair being disposed respectively at opposite sides of each line of stitching anda plurality of creasing elements directed toward the needle-paths, each of said creasing elements being disposed intermediate a pair of tuck-forming elements.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ALBERT H. DE VOE.

of Eatents, 

